Key Verse: "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." - Romans 13:11 KJV
Paul has just told us that love fulfills the law. Now he takes us another step forward. He says: “Now it is high time to awake out of sleep.” There is a spiritual urgency in those words. Paul isn't talking about physical sleep. He is warning believers against becoming spiritually drowsy, going through life without vigilance, without purpose, and without awareness that we belong to Christ.
It is possible to be a Christian and become spiritually sleepy.
We can become so accustomed to the things of this world that we stop thinking seriously about eternity. We can become distracted by daily responsibilities, entertainment, possessions, politics, arguments, ambitions, and countless other things until our relationship with Christ becomes something we simply fit into the leftover spaces of our lives.
Paul says: Wake up. Why? “For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Romans 13:11
Every day that passes brings us closer to the return of Christ and closer to the completion of our salvation. Our salvation began when we trusted Christ. We are being sanctified now as He works in us. And one day our salvation will be completed when we are finally with Him in glory.
Time is moving in one direction. Every sunrise brings us one day closer.
The Night Is Far Spent
Paul uses the contrast between night and day. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.” Romans 13:12
Scripture frequently uses darkness as a picture of sin, ignorance, and the fallen condition of this world. But Christ is the Light. “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12
The Christian therefore should not continue living as though he still belongs to darkness. Paul tells us to “cast off the works of darkness.” Think about that language.
- Cast them off.
- Throw them away.
- Don't negotiate with them.
- Don't make peace with them.
- Don't keep them nearby in case you decide you want them again.
The Christian life involves putting off the old ways and putting on Christ. Earlier in Romans, Paul told us that we are dead to sin and alive unto God. Now he tells us to live consistently with that new identity.
Put On the Armour of Light
Paul doesn't merely tell us what to remove. He tells us what to put on: “Let us put on the armour of light.” Romans 13:12
Christianity isn't simply about stopping bad behavior. It is about becoming more like Jesus. We don't overcome darkness merely by staring at the darkness and trying harder not to participate in it.
- We turn toward the Light.
- We fill our minds with God's Word.
- We spend time in prayer.
- We fellowship with believers.
- We serve others.
- We forgive.
- We love.
- We pursue holiness.
- We keep our eyes on Christ.
The more we put on Christ, the less room there is for the works of darkness.
“Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ”
Paul concludes this passage with one of the most beautiful commands in Romans: “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14
To put on Christ means that our lives should increasingly reflect Him. When people encounter us, they should see something of the character of Jesus.
- His compassion.
- His patience.
- His truth.
- His humility.
- His holiness.
- His mercy.
- His willingness to forgive.
- His love.
This doesn't happen simply because we try harder to look religious. It happens as we surrender ourselves to Him. Paul says elsewhere: “Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27
Christ isn't merely someone we admire from a distance. He lives in His people.
“Make Not Provision for the Flesh”
The second part of Romans 13:14 is just as important: “Make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Paul knows something about human nature.
If we continually make opportunities for sin, we should not be surprised when we fall into it. We shouldn't deliberately place ourselves in situations where temptation is strongest and then expect ourselves to remain unaffected.
Wisdom sometimes means removing the opportunity before the temptation arrives.
- If something repeatedly draws your heart away from God, don't keep feeding it.
- If a particular environment consistently pulls you toward sin, step away.
- If certain conversations constantly produce bitterness, anger, or envy, be careful about participating in them.
- If something consumes your attention until you have little time or desire for God, recognize what is happening.
Don't make provision for the flesh. Instead, make provision for your relationship with Christ.
Life Application
This passage gives us a simple spiritual challenge:
- Wake up. Don't allow your relationship with Jesus to become merely routine.
- Cast off darkness. Identify those things that don't belong in the life of someone who follows Christ, and don't make excuses for them.
- Put on the armor of light. Fill your life with things that strengthen your walk with God.
- Put on Christ. Ask yourself, “If Jesus were visibly walking beside me today, how would I want to live?”
The wonderful truth is that He doesn't merely walk beside us. He is with us. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
And because He is with us, we don't have to face temptation and spiritual weakness alone.
The Christian life is not simply about waiting for heaven.
- It is about living for Christ today.
- The night is far spent.
- The day is at hand.
So let us wake up, look to Christ, and walk in the light.
Prayer
Father, thank You for bringing me out of darkness and into the light through Jesus Christ.
Wake my heart when I become spiritually sleepy. Keep me from becoming so distracted by the things of this world that I lose sight of You and eternity.
Help me to cast away anything in my life that draws me toward sin. Give me wisdom to recognize temptation before I fall into it, and strength to turn away from it.
Help me to put on Christ each day—to live with His love, His patience, His humility, His truth, and His holiness.
Keep my eyes fixed on You as I wait for the day when I will see Jesus face to face.
Thank You that I do not walk this journey alone. Help me to live today in a way that honors You.
In Jesus' name, amen.
